Crunch time for Warriors

The countdown is in motion for the Road Warriors’ chase for a spot in the ECHL playoffs, and home ice will play a vital role.

Beginning with today’s Kids Matinee game at noon against Toledo, 14 of Greenville’s final 23 regular-season games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Ten of those 14 home games are against Florida, Gwinnett, Orlando, and South Carolina – the four teams sharing the ECHL South Division with Greenville. South Carolina has led the Eastern Conference for much of the season, and Florida has been in the top three. Greenville’s last 16 games are all against South Division teams.

Three games with Toledo (one home, two away) and five with Gwinnett (three home, two away) are the only ones against teams that have been behind the Road Warriors in the Eastern Conference standings. In the other 15, Greenville will take on teams that have been or are ahead of them in the standings.

The race has tightened so that only a few points separate third place from eighth, so every game – especially at home – will be big.

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That Kids Matinee game, by the way, features discounted tickets and the Fur Circus.

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Greenville has fielded one of the best penalty kill units in the ECHL, leading the league for several weeks.

Stork also said he has seen recently a lot of the good traits needed by a team pursuing a playoff spot.

“The biggest thing is our one-on-one battles,” Stork said. “Being committed offensively, coming out of the corners with the puck. Going to the net fronts, taking away the goalie’s eyes a little bit more. Getting a few more greasy goals – those second shots, those third shots. Just being strong.”

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The Feb. 21 home against Evansville will be Stick It to Cancer Night. The special jerseys the players will wear that night will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.